A few years ago, my friend Sabah brought it back passion for cooking in a chef-on-demand business. It started serving its local area in Cleveland, quickly grew to cover other major Ohio cities, and plans to expand even further. She is just one of many people I know who have turned their passion project around in a successful business.

We all have our passion projects. We do them because they're fun, or we like the challenge, or they're our way of doing something good in the world. Occasionally, however, our special interests and hobbies lead us to marketable ideas. For many people, this is as far as it goes; they don't know how to take the next step.

Sabah had a shortcut – she is married to my friend and business partner, who knew not only the next step to take, but all the steps behind it. If you're not lucky enough to have a spouse or friend who can help you, here's how to turn your passion project into a successful business.

Connected: Ten tips to turn your passion project into a business

Hobbies that make great side hustles

So you have a particular hobby and you're wondering: How can I make money from this? It's important to remember that not all hobbies are created equal, financially. And a niche interest that might have been profitable 20 years ago (say collecting Beanie Babies) can be a financial pit today.

By keeping a pulse on the zeitgeist, you can anticipate trends and hobbies that gain public interest—and profit from those trends. Some, like the ones below, are side hustle ideas you can start anytime.

photographer

Senior portraits, weddings, special events, professional headshots — quality, affordable photography is never lacking. With a website that highlights your work, you can book clients and start making money from your passion.

encryption

from bug bounty programs for website design, freelance coding offers great earning opportunities. A background in HTML, Python, Java, C++ or a host of other coding languages ​​can be a financial benefit.

Home design

If you have designed your house to belong to a matter of architectural overview, others will take note. Consult on color palettes, furniture selection, room layout and lighting — and bring your curated aesthetic to the masses with a home design business.

Video and audio production

Whether promoting a brand on social media or starting a podcast, independent producers can bring a marketing campaign to life. Sell ​​yourself on past work and mention your experience with programs on Adobe Creative Suite OR Pro Tools.

The gardener

Your green finger can put some green in your pocket. of landscaping and gardening industry was valued more than 250 billion dollars in 2024, according to Mordor Intelligence, and if your garden is thriving, you could fill a spot in your (proverbial) backyard.

Writing

Can you create clear and concise copy for a variety of clients? If so, the possibilities are as vast as your vocabulary. Wordsmiths can serve as speechwriters, copywriters, technical writers and ghostwriters, as well as help with any editing needs.

Baking

Your beautiful cakes, cookies and baked goods can be more than delicious treats; can be a source of income. Many entrepreneurs found success with home baking during the pandemicand with proper planning and steady customers, you can join them.

Vetting if your hobby can be a business

Before you make any tough commitments or big financial decisions, consider whether your particular hobby can make a profit stable money. Who is the target customer? How much do current practitioners pay? How much money have you saved? How much do you expect to make?

It is essential to be clear about expectations beforehand investing your money in your venture. The following steps can help you evaluate whether or not to turn your passion project into a side hustle—or even a career.

Direct it from friends

When we have it eureka moment, sometimes blinds us to flaws in our logic. To get a quick check, run your idea to a few trusted friends. They may be able to point out obstacles that you haven't thought of or don't know of a way to make your idea come true. For Sabah, that meant asking other chefs for input. Avoid relying solely on the opinions of one or two people, but appreciate the enthusiasm of your friends. After all, close confidants have your best interests in mind.

Analyze the market

Most likely, others have had your idea. Sabah wasn't the first to think of an on-demand chef service, but when she analyzed the market, she realized her idea could still work. Market analysis requires thorough research consumer trends and expectations, market size and demand for your offering.

To really excel, you need to do a thorough analysis of your rivals. Although they may offer a comparable product, your goal is to outdo them. Analyze their customer feedback to identify gaps. When you look carefully at similar businesses, you can find opportunities to fill the gaps they are leaving.

The network

Networking with others who have started their own business or product can be invaluable. They are ahead of you on the journey and can help you avoid costly mistakes. If you are lucky, you may find someone with similar experience and a willingness to mentor you. A good mentor can help you find your way forward when you hit a roadblock. Keep the lines of communication open with your network and mentor. They know the twists and turns and can save you headaches and expense.

Draw up a business plan

Do not invest significant money in a project before creating a detailed one business plan. The previous steps, such as analyzing the market, will help you write this paper and you will want to come out with clarity financial expectations. Do the math – calculate your start and general expenses, insurance, marketing budget, profit expectations and taxes. This will give you some basic level expectations and a the guide to financingif necessary.

Disappearing your side business

You've done your research. You've talked to friends and other entrepreneurs. You have analyzed the market and built a business plan. Now is the time to take the first big step: getting yours side business from the ground.

To turn passion into profit requires work. Don't be discouraged. There may be moments of doubt and anxiety as your business slowly grows. Lean on mentors and consult your business plan. Like Sabah, if you've done your due diligence before departure, you can keep your head down and follow the guide. The following steps can position you for success when turning your niche hobby into a business.

Build an MVP

In the world of software development, a minimum viable product (MVP) is a way to test your idea with a small group of early adopters. It is basically an early version of the product with only a few essential features. For Sabah, MVP was a limited menu with a select group of chefs – and she was one of them. After proving that her idea would work, she hired more chefs and added more meals to the menu based on the feedback she received from her customers. Early and real feedback is the goal of an MVP. After all, it is easier and less expensive to make changes early in the development cycle than in the middle of it.

Connected: 5 tips for strengthening your MVP and why it's the most important aspect of building a startup

Set achievable goals

Be realistic about your first year financial expectations. In fact, it's common for new businesses to lose money on them first year of business as they pay off initial investments and build stable customer bases. Sabah set goals – financial and personal – that she could reasonably achieve. But don't confuse this with easily the goals. You must be ambitious but practical when planning to achieve your goals.

Get help

Sabah didn't build her business alone. She knew she needed help building the web applications her new company needed, and she outsourced the work. Trying to do everything leads to stress, burn out and costly mistakes. It also takes you longer to get to market and can mean competitors beat you to the finish line. Hire freelance help or outsource product development to a team with the knowledge and bandwidth to quickly build a high-quality product.

Knowing when to get help involves knowing your strengths and weaknesses weaknesses. Maybe you can build the product, but need help with market analysis. Or maybe you need help building a brand identity and product marketing. Outsourcing some of the work frees you up to focus on what you're good at and can take the stress off your shoulders.

Connected: Asking for help is good for you and your business

Keep your finger on the pulse

Markets and trends can shift rapidly, so it's essential to keep track of your competitors and monitor your customers' needs. The last thing you want is a product that is outdated by the time it launches or a business plan built around last year's “it.” By staying up-to-date on market and cultural trends, you can be ready to shift priorities when the time is right.

It was a joy to watch my friend's business grow. She has faced challenges with grace and never lets obstacles slow her down. And that, too, is the key to turning your passion project into a successful business: believing in your vision enough to stick with it, no matter what.